Another new red SG thread

[mad dog]

You may have too many such threads here, but here's another anyway. My first SG since forever ago, when I had and did not like a vintage SG junior, then vintage SG Special.

A search for new slide sounds led me to reconsider SGs. Found a local guy selling a 2005 red standard. Right out of the case this guitar hooked me. Solid, pretty, real personality. Can't believe I waited this long to try another. It is indeed a perfect choice for open tunings and slide. The stock pickups have a lot to like too, once I got them properly adjusted. A fine guitar, and I'm lucky to have found it.

MD

 

[Susihukkanen]

Welcome to the Forum! Our Red SG Fan Club would like to see some

 

[Col Mustard]

well, the red seems to be the world's favorite color for SGs, I admit it even
if i don't have one. But it sounds like you bonded with your SG, which is really
what's important... right out of the case, you know it's yours.

That's what so many search for, and don't find for some reason. now you should
listen to what Derek Trucks does with slide and an SG. and then play your
heart out. Congratulations, excellent choice. Welcome to ETSG.

 

[mad dog]

Thank you fellow SG appreciators. I looked for a black one, but have to admit that red is classic. And on Derek Trucks ... He's one reason I decided to go this way. After decades of playing slide mostly on teles (very happily too), I kept hearing those other, humbucker tones from Derek. My Les Paul had the sound, but doesn't feel right for slide. So an SG was more or less inevitable.
MD

 

[Mr. Happy]

Cheers mate!!...
Post some pics on that SG!

 

[Col Mustard]

That's fun, I like to play slide on my Telecaster... *grins
But mine's a Tele Deluxe replica, with two Fender humbuckers, and it sounds awesome, slide or no slide. Foo Fighters plays one.

 

[mad dog]

Been pondering some other pickups for the SG, mainly out of tonal curiosity. But I don't know ... been dialing in the stock p/us (490R/498T) and getting some wonderful tones. I read a post on TGP by a guy advocating a certain way to adjust these p/us. Neck down low with pole pieces up, bridge up high with pole pieces flush. Started experimenting with this. I found that formula really works, but to my taste, not as low as he advocates for the neck. Kinda depends on your preference, whether it goes more toward neck or bridge sound.

I'm playing this guitar strictly in open E, with a lot of slide. Too low on the neck takes the punch out of the neck only spot. Up a little higher, it comes alive. And that is the coolest slide sound at higher volume, with some clean boost. His advice on the bridge is right on. Get it about a 1/16 down from the strings. At least for the way I'm playing it, these adjustments are making me appreciate the stock p/us a whole lot.

Maybe I'll experiment someday with pickups anyway. It won't be out of necessity. This is a damn good guitar right now. Loving it!
MD

 

[BlackSG91]

Been pondering some other pickups for the SG, mainly out of tonal curiosity. But I don't know ... been dialing in the stock p/us (490R/498T) and getting some wonderful tones. I read a post on TGP by a guy advocating a certain way to adjust these p/us. Neck down low with pole pieces up, bridge up high with pole pieces flush. Started experimenting with this. I found that formula really works, but to my taste, not as low as he advocates for the neck. Kinda depends on your preference, whether it goes more toward neck or bridge sound.

I'm playing this guitar strictly in open E, with a lot of slide. Too low on the neck takes the punch out of the neck only spot. Up a little higher, it comes alive. And that is the coolest slide sound at higher volume, with some clean boost. His advice on the bridge is right on. Get it about a 1/16 down from the strings. At least for the way I'm playing it, these adjustments are making me appreciate the stock p/us a whole lot.

Maybe I'll experiment someday with pickups anyway. It won't be out of necessity. This is a damn good guitar right now. Loving it!
MD

Congrats on the guitar! I must agree on the 490R/498T combo which I have in my '08 Gibson LP Studio and I love this set. That's some real good advice from that fellow on TGP. If you can find the link to that thread, can you post it here? I would love to read that...(BTW I'm on TGP, but as someone else.) I find setting up the pickup heights is crucial to the sound for optimal performance. I'm always adjusting my set and the screw pole pieces. After all that tweaking, I find that I get good balance between both pickups. I feel these pickups are underrated by many. These may be people who don't know how to do a proper setup of the pickups or they just want to buy another pickup to install for bragging rights. I find this unnecessary unless you have a particular taste in a certain pickup. These pickups have more of a mid-range boost and many prefer the old-style P.A.F.'s with scooped mids. It's all preference IMO.

 

[mad dog]

BlackSG:

It's third post from the bottom on this page:

Humbucker suggestions for SG for more midrange - The Gear Page

Such a learning curve with pickups. For example, your favorite set in one guitar might not be favorites in the next. Which is a good argument for finding the sweet spot with whatever pickups you have. Doesn't mean they'll end up being best, but I'm always amazed at how much experimenting with heights and such it taked to get the best sound out of pickups. I do love the older, PAF types too, just realizing what an interesting flavor is already in this stock SG.

Have a pair of Ian Anderson pickups (he's a builder who winds his own) in my Les Paul, and can highly recommend them. That's the guy I'd go to if I ever feel like experimenting with the SG.
MD

 

[BlackSG91]

BlackSG:

It's third post from the bottom on this page:

Humbucker suggestions for SG for more midrange - The Gear Page

Such a learning curve with pickups. For example, your favorite set in one guitar might not be favorites in the next. Which is a good argument for finding the sweet spot with whatever pickups you have. Doesn't mean they'll end up being best, but I'm always amazed at how much experimenting with heights and such it taked to get the best sound out of pickups. I do love the older, PAF types too, just realizing what an interesting flavor is already in this stock SG.

Have a pair of Ian Anderson pickups (he's a builder who winds his own) in my Les Paul, and can highly recommend them. That's the guy I'd go to if I ever feel like experimenting with the SG.
MD

Thanks a lot buddy! I appreciate it. I'll post a song for you because I think you deserve it...you mad bad dog!

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EztoZHihFAQ]Anvil - Mad Dog - HQ - YouTube[/ame]

 

[mad dog]

Thanks! You couldn't very well be a mad GOOD dog, right!
MD

 

[BlackSG91]

Thanks! You couldn't very well be a mad GOOD dog, right!
MD

Especially if you're a bad ass from Memphis.